Quality of resin ND filters?

moldcad

moldcad

Veteran
So far, I've been using my FS100 either with the Heliopan VND filter, or with my hefty RR mattebox and 4x5.65" ND glass filters. Now that I've bought a smaller/lighter mattebox (MB-600; nice), I'm after 4x4 filters. Never used anything other than glass filters, so have no experience with the picture quality using resin ones (and perhaps stacking 2 of them). But the fact is that for the price of a single Formatt 4x4 ND glass filter, I can buy 3 resin ones by Hitech, so I'm a bit lost...

I'd be grateful for sharing your opinion on the quality of resin filters in general, and the Hitech brand in particular. Also, will a typical 4x4" filter tray accept "system 100" (100x100mm) filters?

 
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I have. I have bought a Cokin ND 0.6 and a Hi tech ND 1.2 filters later based on cost considerations. At first, I was happy with the Cokin for the price. When I tried the Hi tech, I saw a little bit of magenta color cast. Nothing really noticeable, but still. I then tried to stack the 2 resin filters. Damn! The picture lokked almost all PINK. The combination of the two was horrible, not usable. I then rechecked attentivelly the Cokin one, and there is also a color cast but less pronounced than the Hi tech.

So I decided to not use the Hi tech anymore. I kept the cokin since it's very less appearent and can be completly masked by white balancing with the filter on. I then bought some Tiffen NDs and NDGrad, and they are perfect. My recommandation based on experience, don't try to save money on filters.
 
I agree - Ive had some pretty nasty flare and I think softening

I think 2ND is fine but beyond that you might have problems

I think thy also scratch super easy

S
 
Thanks guys - I must admit I've never even had such a filter in my hand :)

As for the color shift when stacking 2 filters: don't you think it was more pronounced because you used two different brands?
As to scratching easily, there is no doubt about it.

Well, perhaps I'll start with just a single but proper glass filter, and when have some money build my collection in time. But then - should I go with just one for the time being - which density would you advise to start with?

My local seller says that ND 1.2 is the highest available - is that true?
 
I'ver used resin formatt filters a lot in film and HD for broadcast. they work great, you'll never see a difference. I have alot of glass filters as well, all makes and have zero hesitation when reaching into the filter case. I like my glass better but only becasue they are heavier and look better to my (naked) eye- and cost a lot more. just one thing - resin scratches easier. gotta treat them a bit nicer.
 
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